Questions & answers

I am planning to apply for a course. How to I register for the examination?

You do this in connection with your application to the course. If you want to take the exam in a language other than the one used in the course (English or Swedish) you need to inform the training provider/responsible administrator at the latest 2 weeks before the exam.

Note! SSTB recommends that you choose the same language for the exam as used during the course since the terminology can differ.

What is the fee for the examination?
Please look in the calendar and contact the organizer listed in column Application

Can I be certified without following a course?
Yes you can. It is not compulsory to follow a course to take the exam.

You can study by yourself following the syllabus found under Documents or read a book (se Documents as well). It is however a great help to follow a course in order to systematically cover all parts of the syllabus for a certain certification.

I want to take the exam without having participated in a course. How do I do?
See the table of Examination dates, available here on SSTBs website. Choose date and location for the exam.Then contact the responsible administrator listed in the last column of the table and let them know you want to take the exam without attending a course. You must also inform them about your preferred exam language. (On Foundation level and Agile Tester you can choose between both English and Swedish, regardless of the language of the course associated with the exam.) Remember to apply at the latest two weeks before the exam.

Do I need any previous knowledge to take the exam on Foundation level?

No formal previous knowledge is required. In order to pass the exam you should however follow an ISTQB-certified basic course or in other ways procure that knowledge. You should also have a few years of experience from testing or software development.

Do I need any previous knowledge to take the exam for Agile Tester and Model-Based Tester?
You must hold a certificate on ISTQB Foundation Level (ISEB Foundation certificate is also valid). The certificate must be presented to the proctor before the exam starts. For mor information, see Calendar.
In order to pass the exam you could follow an ISTQB-accredited course or in other ways procure that knowledge.

Do I need any previous knowledge to take the exam on Advanced level?

Yes, you must be certified on Foundation level. The certificate must be presented to the proctor before the exam starts. (For mor information, see Calendar).
SSTB recommends three years of experience within the field of the modules Test Manager, Test Analyst or Technical Test Analyst.

In which languages can I take the exam?
See above: Within which ISTQB-areas can I get a certification?

Can I take the exam in Swedish even though the course is listed as given in English?

Yes you can, but you need to apply in time and be clear about your preferred language in your application. You apply in the same way as for an exam following a course, to the responsible administrator.

The same of course applies if you want to take the exam in English following a course given in Swedish.

SSTB recommends that you take the exam in the same language as the course material due to language differences in the terminology

What time does the exam begin?

When you apply for the exam, make sure to get information about the starting time. Note that the exam starts exactly that time. If you need to show some documents to the exam attendant it must be done before the exam starts. Be there at least 15 minutes before the starting time.

How much time do I get to write the exam?

For Foundation level and extensions Swedish the exams are 1 hour. If your native language is not the same as the language in exam you will 15 minutes extra (25%)
For Advanced level the exam time depends on the module in Advanced Level. If the exam language is not the same as your native language, you will get 25% extra

Can I pass with distinction, or just pass? If so, how many points do I need to pass with distinction?

There is only one level: pass. 65% or more is pass
- To pass on Foundation Level and extensions you need 26 or more correct answers of 40
- To pass on Advanced Level Test Manager you need 75 points or more (of 115)
- To pass on Advanced Level Test Analyst you need 78 points or more (of 120)
- To pass on Advanced Level Technical Test Analyst you need 52 points or more (of 80)
- To Pass on Advanced Level Test Automation Engineer you need 49 points of 75

How many points to I get for the right answer?
Foundation Level, Agile Tester and Model-Based Tester:
Correct answer: 1 point. Wrong answer: 0 points.

Can I bring any aids along to the exam?
You are allowed to use a general dictionary with translation from the language of the exam to the langauge you choose. You must bring the dictionary yourself.

You can also bring a list of English/Swedish test terminology available under Documents. You must bring the list yourself.

The examination attendant will check that the dictionary is a general one and that the terminology list is from SSTB. There must be no comments made on these aids. If that would be the case the exam attendant will keep them during the exam.

Can I keep the questionnaire after the exam?
No, you are not allowed to keep anything from the examination, except for the general dictionary if you brought one. The questionnaire, your notes or anything else you might have used must be handed over to the examination attendant together with your anwers before you are allowed to leave the premises.

When can I expect to get the results?
The results will be sent by post to the home address that you wrote down on the answer form (write neatly!). Normally you will have it within one week. If you have not received it after three weeks please contact SSTB or your training provider.

I failed the exam. Can I get the outcome from my answers?
No, you can't. The questions and their answers are not public.

I failed the exam. How can I re-take the exam?
You can apply for a new exam. Remember that the next exam could cover other parts of the Syllabus than the first one. Therefore try to study on all parts of the syllabus, not only some.

Look in the table with Examination dates on SSTBs website. Choose date and location and contact the administrator listed in the table. Tell them that you want to take the exam without following the course and state the examination language that you want (you can choose English or Swedish regardless of the langauge of the course preceeding the exam). You must apply at least 2 weeks before the date of the exam.

I passed the exam and have received my certificate. Can I use the SSTB- or ISTQB-symbol in my CV?
You can use a logo "ISTQB Certified" for the ISTQB level you are certified. If you want a logo please look at SSTB homepage under Resources

I have lost my certificate, what shall I do?
Check SSTB homepage under Examination / Lost certificate

Is there any validity period for this certification?
Foundation Level and Advanced Level ISTQB® certificates are valid for life